Reopening of schools for all learners by November

The Ministry of Information has confirmed that all learners will be able to start attending classes by November and reopening of schools will be in three phases. This will allow monitoring of the covid-19 infections which seems to have been increasing at a lower rate since last stage of lockdown Exam classes for CAMBRIDGE IGCSE reopened on the 14th of Sept, whilst ZIMSEC candidates are expected to reopen on the 28th of SEPTEMBER 2020. According to the ministry, there were no cases recorded in schools since the 14th. The classes expected to start on the 28th are GRADE 7, FORM 4 and FORM 6 exam classes

The next phase will be for GRADE 6, FORM 3 and FORM 5 classes. The government promises to provide personal protective equipment for schools and enforce covid19 regulation to reduce the chances of infections. However, the success of this will depend on the ability of teachers to report for duty, especially in rural areas. The teachers unions demand that the Government increase salary that matches poverty datum line to enable teachers travel to schools and afford basics. According to the unions, many teachers are incapacitated to attend classes given the current salary.

Exam Starting date confirmed

The date for starting Zimsec exams has been confirmed according to post cabinet briefing of 1st September 2020. After consultation with the relevant stakeholders, the ministry has reached the decision to schedule the first examination for 1st December 2020. The schools closed in March of 2020 due to covid19 pandemic and are expected to re-open on the 28th of September this year to resume learning for exam classes. However, some teachers unions are pleading with the ministry to shift the exams to February of 2021 when the effects of the pandemic have eased. This will also compensate learning time lost when the schools were closed. The

School to reopen in September 2020

The Ministry of Education confirmed that they have received a go-ahead to prepare for third term opening of schools for examination sessions. However the ministry is yet to consult with the schools, teachers and parents on schools preparedness to open their

doors during the COVID19 pandemic. June Examination were held under strictly covid19 regulations and not eveb a single case was reported. The Ministry intents to use the same standards to hold examination session slated for December 2020 to January 2021. The schools are reopening for Examination purposes, which means only candidates who registered for Grade 7, O Level and A Level will be allowed to prepare and write their examination from September 2020 to January 2021. Candidates in public schools last attended lessons in March and have only three months to prepare and write their final exams. Majority of private schools were conducting online lessons which provided their candidates adequate time to prepare.

How To Prepare For Mathematics O Level Zimsec

PREPARING FOR PAPER 1

The first paper is popular for being tricky and many candidates confirm they don't finish attempting questions within stipulated time. Today I will focus on how to prepare for the first paper and ways to perform better.

In one of the posts I wrote last year on my blog zimtuts.blogspot.com I highlighted how the first paper is designed to 'steal' your time and the biase of mark distribution. I will highlight new tricks in the next posts on paper 1.

# Tested concepts #

Paper 1 tests almost 90% of the syllabus in 25 - 30 questions. The syllabus specifies that the paper tests all the concepts. There is need to check the whole syllabus sections and compare with the textbook topics to see if it's covering the whole syllabus.

The basic topics tested in the beginning of the paper [question 1 - 13] involves 

- Prime Factors

- Type of numbers

- Square roots

- Fractions and decimals

- Volume, density and mass

- Unit conversions

- Time

- Limit of accuracy 

- Approximations and estimations 

- Scale and map problems

- Similarity

Among other basic topics

Using New General Mathematics Book 3 and 4? Check if these basic topics are covered.

# How to Prepare for the Paper #

One of the reasons why candidates fail is they assume maths is all about complex questions and waste much of their time of optional topics like Cosine rule, transformation or Mensuration.

First start to master basic concepts. The first step in Maths is to know the operands and how they apply to every situation. 

Try to master the following 

- multiples (time - table or Multiples of 1 to 12)

- Factors of numbers up to 100

- Types of numbers 

- Directed numbers 

- Rounding numbers 

- Addition and subtraction of time

- Formulas for areas and other basic calculations 

- Conversions of units 

You will find that most don't finish the paper because they fail to quickly calculate say 9 x 13, or 11 x 12. Someone scribble the whole answer space to calculate these types of basic multiplication.

It might sound fun but it's worth to start by mastering that multiple table at the back of the exercise books. Learn to memorize it by head. If possible expand it up to the multiples of 15 or 20. It will make your life easier in the next topics

The disadvantages of using Book 3 is that you miss most of the concepts covered in Book 1 and 2. It's advisable to first learn those basics before you start to use book 3.

Most teachers expect you to have covers majority of these topics at primary level or Junior Level. If you were not paying attention or did not cover the topics due to various reasons, consider revisiting the principles on your own time and learn the basic rules of numbers.

# What makes Prime Factors Important # 

Finding Prime Factors of numbers is important since it helps you in many concepts including but not limited to 

- finding roots

- Multiples

- Factors

- HCF and LCM

- Factorization 

- Indices

Master how to express a number as product of its prime factors. It will save your life in many principles. 

NB: Do you want to learn these basic principles? Ask for FREE video lessons on basic numbers on 

WhatsApp +263 733 796 118

Why Candidates Fail English Language Exam

About 20 to 30% score a C or better in their English Language and Mathematics exams at O level and these determine pass rate of a center as only those with 5 subjects including these two subjects are considered.

Majority of candidates scores C or better in more than 5 O level subjects but fail English and Mathematics. Majority of these re-sit for the Exam and struggle to pass in more than 2 sittings as a private candidate.

Zimsec statistics for 2017 November Examinations reveals that 13 to 14% are successful in Exams which must be a great concern for those planning a resit 

From our polls and survey, many external candidates fail because 

1. They don't attend lessons for a resit

2. They don't know the basics of grammar 

3. They think there is no need to study the Subject as it is only a 'language'

4. They don't know the structure of the exam and weight of each section to the final mark

5. They repeat the same mistakes which failed them in the last exam

But what really fails you to score a C or better in an English Exam?

#1 Poor Grammar 

Majority don't know parts of speech and parts of sentence, appropriate use of verb tenses and cannot write in their on words. Grammar cost many candidates a lot of marks 

#2 Some Can't write a good essay

Majority of candidates don't even know types of compositions and how to attempt each of these. Some can't even write a simple introduction and don't know what's included in the body or conclusion of any essay

#3 Can't Use Literal Devices 

Literal devices like amplification, registers and discourse markers are of essence when writing compositions. You might be good in grammar but inability to use literal devices or composition techniques you can't earn enough to score a C or better

#4 lack of comprehension skills

Yes, many can't correctly answer comprehension questions and can't express in their own words 

#5 Summary writing 

Summary is a major contributor and majority struggle to identify points to include and how to express in their own words nor shorten/join  the sentences using conjunctions. 

#6 Use of registers 

Majority don't even know how to answer questions on registers. Some cram random words to write in that section

It is imperative that you master all concepts of EnglishLanguage as specified by the syllabus. It's also advisable to start from basics of grammar like parts of speech [articles, verbs, nouns, pronouns etc]

Have you ever checked our step by step video lessons on English Language? WhatsApp +263 733 796 118 

New A Level Combinations New Curriculum Zimsec

Things have changed a bit in the educational sector and learners are starting to specialize for their A Level right from O level. The Learning Areas are Sciences, Mathematics, Arts and Commercials

For one to study  A Level mathematics, she or he has to study and pass 'Pure Mathematics' at O Level. Pure mathematics is like the old additional mathematics at O level and introduces some Basic A Level topics to prepare learners for A Level mathematics. The same goes with statistics, history and all other subjects

The new curriculum emphasizes on 7 compulsory subjects at A Level (which are not considered for A Level) and these are English, General Mathematics, Combined science, Indeginous Language, Heritage Studies, Physical Education and Agriculture.
One cannot take sciences at A Level even if he or she passes Combined Science. In other words, it's like Intergrated Science.

MATHEMATICS COMBINATION

One can specialize in Mathematics subjects only

• Pure Mathematics
• Statistics, and
• Mechanics 

These can be studied as separate subjects and they are no longer considered as one subject like in the old curriculum.

This also imply that one has to study all these subjects at O Level adding to 7 compulsory subjects listed above

SCIENCES 

The sciences subjects in new curriculum are 

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics 
• Geography
• Computer Science

However, one can take Pure Mathematics/Statistics/Mechanics and other two learning areas listed above 

COMMERCIALS

Commercials learning areas are 

• Economics
• Business Studies 
• Accounting 

You can also take Pure Mathematics/Statistics and add to your combination of three subjects. NB: O Level Commerce might not be considered  for A Level learning areas 

ARTS

learning areas for Arts are 

• History 
• English Literature 
• Indeginous Languages 
• Family and Religious Studies 

Be careful when choosing your learning areas at Form 3 not to mix the arts and sciences or commercial learning areas except in combinations where it's suitable 

This information is not 100% guaranteed as correct, if you have any suggestions , corrections or alterations, please leave a comment for the benefit of other students 

Exam Tick Revision Guide For Mathematics

Many students and candidates now prefer PDF revision guides than physical textbooks, notes and past papers (Greenbooks). Last time I posted about the GreenBook app which has past papers and answers but it has since disappeared from the google play store.

Now, there seems to be an alternative for past papers and greenbooks for Mathematics O Level. There is a PDF version of Exam Tick which provides both Zimsec and Cambridge past papers for 2 years period (12 past papers ) with exam style working displayed on the spaces provided.

This is a relief for candidates in the diaspora and those who prefer recent past papers.

WhatsApp +263 733 796 118